Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1887-10-24
WASHINGTON LETTER
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF THE MONITOR
WasbjnqtOn Oct. I8H.


Especial CO CORRESPONDING OF THE MONITOR
WaShjnqtOH, Oct. I8H.
Even thus early active preparations
are in progress for the long session
of congress, which will meet on the
first Monday in December. Many con-
oressmen from neighboring states
can be almost daily seen on the thor
oughfares of the Federal City, seek
inc out their ''winter quarters, and
looking after the Immediate wants of
their constituents. 1t is the general
opinion of we'll posted politicians that
the fiftieth congress will be a busy
and stormy body, as much important
legislation will be considered, espec-
tally in regard to the surplus, the tar
if and pensions, seven of the latter
bills already being in course Of incu-
baton, to say nothing of projected
legislation on the labor and railroad
questions. And then, each of 5he
great parties believes that it is posi-
BILE to practically decide the next
presidential election by its course
next winter.
Another indication of the near ad-
vent Of congress is the stir and hustle
in the various federal departments
incident to the preparation of the an
nual reports, some of which have al
ready been submitted to the secreta-
ries. These reports review the bus
ness of the past year, and make pei
tinent suggestions as to the needs of
the service, including necessary ap-
preparations of funds.
The report of the commissioner of
the general land office is of special
interest on account of the wide
spread and far-reaching frauds that
have been uncovered in the acquisi-
ton of the public lands by sOulless
syndicates and reckless adventures.
1t is shown that within the past two
and half years more than thirty-one
million acres of land have been re-
claimed by the government, that about
five thousand land entries were secur-
ed by means Of perjury, and that
many other disreputable and irregu-
lar methods were employed by these
swindlers to defraud the United
States.
The secretary of the interior has
given orders to begin legal proceed
ings against Jesse Lee Hall, agent
for the KiOwa, COmanche, and Wi
chita Indians, in the Indian Terrific
~, upon charges of malfeasance in
office. 1t is stated at the interior
department that the defalcatiOn of
Hall will probably amount to from
$4,000 to $50, 600, but, as his bond
is for the latter sum, the government
will not lose anything.
Civil Service Commissioner Ober-
ly's aggressive and progressive senti-
ments, lately promulgated, find no IA
vor with partisan spoilsmen, but meet
with the cordial endorsement of all
VINO would purry the public service
of political influence and manipula-
ton. 1t is hoped that the conserya-
tive views of Mr.. Oberly will be
adopted as the pronounced policy of
the civil service commission, for such
a course would undoubtedly be a sub
stantial gain for the cause of reform
that would meet popular approval.
Mr.. Graves, chief of the bureau of
engraving and printing, is having
some trouble with the Knights of La
Dor, because he claims that better
work can be done with other machines
than with hand presses, in the print
ing of treasury drafts, bonds, stamps,
and silver certificates. The knights
say they will bring the controversy
to the attention of congress, having
already framed bill embodying their
grievance.
There is great and general inter
est felt at the Capital, as we'll as in
the country at large, in the trial of
the Virginia state officials for con-
tempt, now pending on a writ of ha-
bedS corpus, before the United States
supreme court, as the issue joined in
wolves the settlement of a constitu-
tional question of law between the
state and federal governments.
Another interesting case that may
be presented before the court this
week is the appeal of the Chicago
anarchists. The Preler murder case
of St. Louis, which has attained ma
tional notoriety, is also before that
tribunal.
The movement to have the next
national democratic convention meet
in Washington has materialized into
a call for a public meeting to consid-
er the project. AS means to the
desired end, it is the purpose of the
ashingtonians to give the demo-
cratic committee a grand entertain
ment at its session here next winter,
in the effort to capture that organiza-
ton.
A Washington Judge has a decid-
ly original way of disposing of a. boy
colt, our country's troublesome inn
portion from the Emerald Isle His
Honor decides it to be a common con-
spiracy-''only that and nothing
more"